BY DEIRDRE SHORE -

A bit of history -

My gardening experience began as a child, helping my parents in the family garden. My love of gardening was nurtured as I grew to include not only flowers, shrubs and trees, but also vegetable gardening. 

I attended Victor Valley Community College and then Cal Poly Pomona where I was able to learn more about what I love. Earning my AS in Horticulture and my BS in Agronomy - Gardening, next to family and horses it's my favorite thing to do.  

Hubby and I moved to the High Desert, close to the Victor Valley, in the early 80's making Hesperia and then Phelan our home. Then we moved to North Carolina for a year. We missed our family so much we returned to the land of Sunshine and Blue skies. Recently making our home in Lucerne Valley, California.

Our home is located on what one might call a five acre blank canvas, as it has no landscape. The front half of the property was void of any plants except a few Russian Thistles (aka tumble weeds) and a Creosote bush or two. The back half has many more Creosote bushes and lots of tumble weeds. There is a small back yard consisting of two Ornamental Plum trees. One which was chewed off at the trunk at about 2 foot. Both looked sickly and really should have been removed. However, they are improving and seem to be doing better. 

Our first project was to establish our wish list. Wish list meant Pine trees around the entire acreage as a wind break, with some shade trees and of course fruit trees. Roses, honey suckle, jasmine as well as some grape vines, black and raspberry bushes, a flower bed, ornamental bushes, and last but not least a vegetable garden. Oh I almost forgot ~ a small patch of grass in the back yard. 

However, our reality list will be so much more conservative. Will will be concentrating on the front half of our property for now.  Our property is surrounded on three sides by dirt roads and one really nice neighbor to the west. So that adds another dilemma to overcome.  Although, we want to use drought tolerant plants as much as possible in our landscaping. Our goal is to be able to dual purpose our plants too.